Kings of Camp

is sponsored by:

Charles Hawtrey

1914 - 1988

Born
George Frederick Joffre Hartree on 30th November 1914 in
Hounslow, Middlesex, England, into a theatrical family
(although his father was a motor mechanic), he started
acting at an early age. He studied at the Italia Conti
acting school for three years as a child before turning
professional and securing a variety of junior roles. His
first appearance was playing an urchin in "The Windmill Man"
in Boscombe when only eleven years old. Following his
appearance in "Bluebell In Fairyland" at London's Scala
Theatre, a string of other contracts evolved.

In 1925, less than three years after the death of the
celebrated Edwardian actor / manager Sir Charles Hawtrey to
whom he was no relation, George adopted the stage name
Charles Hawtrey. From his radio appearances, which began in
1929, he managed to start working alongside some of the big
names of the day including the famous Will Hay. His
portrayal of Slightly in "Peter Pan" in 1931 was commended
by the Daily Telegraph's drama critic as showing "a comedy
sense not unworthy of his famous name." A string of film
appearances and theatrical engagements (along with many
impressive reviews) kept Charles busy throughout the
thirties, forties, and into the fifties.

In 1957 Hawtrey appeared in the TV series "The Army Game"
with Bernard Bresslaw ("Well, I only arsked!") and William
Hartnell. It was a smash hit guaranteeing him a similar role
in the first of the "Carry On" films the following year,
"Carry On Sergeant". It is probably for his "Carry On"
appearances that most people today remember Charles Hawtrey.
He appeared in twenty-three of them (known affectionately by
the cast and crew as "coco shunter" because of his aversion
to chocolate), but there was so much more to his long and
impressive career that we could not possibly do it full
justice here.

Charles Hawtrey always kept his social life private. He
never married, and many suppose that away from his work he
was lonely. After leaving the "Carry On" series of films in
1973, because they wouldn't give him the higher billing that
he believed he deserved, he went into semi-retirement living
in an old smuggler's cottage near the seafront in Deal,
Kent. He had suffered with arthritis for a number of years
and it was becoming more acute. There were a few cameo
appearances, but mainly he led a reclusive life in his
cottage. It was from there in 1984 that he had to be
dramatically rescued when a fire broke out.

By September 1988 the arthritis had become so severe that
Charles was told by his doctors that his legs would have to
be amputated if they were to save his life. He refused to
have the operation and died just one month later.

Charles Hawtrey had a natural campness to his character, one
that he explored to the limits in his career. It served him
well and has possibly made him irreplaceable. He was
frequently known to burst into outrageous humour, speaking
in a type of language that few could understand. His close
friend Joan Sims was one of the few who apparently could
understand him. Was it some kind of Polari? We don't know.
His recreational activities included collecting antiques and
playing the piano. The latter must have become very
difficult and distressing as his arthritic illness
progressed.